Labels

Tuesday, 22 November 2016

Review - 'Supergirl', S02E06 - 'Changing'

Supergirl
takes a somewhat unexpected trip into the realm of science-fiction
tinged horror in the second season's sixth episode – with its
introduction of its own version of the comic-book villain, Parasite.

Initially
introduced in a very entertaining homage to John Carpenter's classic
horror film, The Thing,
Parasite certainly had the potential to be the series's most
genuinely frightening villain. Even his early scenes had plenty of
that classic paranoia, as the audience was left with little certainty
about whether it was the alien parasite, or the human host, who was
truly in control.

The human host, in
this case, is Dr. Rudy Jones (William Mapother), an initially
well-meaning scientist, specialising in the effects of climate
change, who seems to be driven to violent extremism once he falls
under the influence of the alien creature. So, with Dr. Jones now
intent on hunting down, and brutally killing, those who have hindered
his research in the past, it seems fairly obvious that he needs to be
stopped – though, with his actions clearly being driven as much by
the alien parasite infecting him, as his own desires, it seems just
as clear that he is a man in desperate need of help.

Of course, things
takes a rather drastic turn for the worse when the parasite's ability
to feed on the energy of whoever it comes into contact with allows
the creature to gain the upper-hand over both Supergirl and the
Martian Manhunter – draining the energy from both super-powered
beings and, in the process, transforming into something much more
monstrous. So, with Kara and J'onn out of commission, it seems as
though now would be the perfect opportunity for both James Olsen and
Mon-El to step forward, and to become the heroes that each is clearly
destined to be.

Honestly, while the two characters were
obviously being set up to reach this point, eventually, the manner in
which the season has gone about pushing them both toward becoming
heroes still strikes me as a little strange.

For Mon-El, I think that my main issue
is with the way in which the decision has been taken away from him –
with Kara seeming set on suggesting that him becoming a 'super-hero'
is practically a moral obligation. Sure, Mon-El has been portrayed as
almost insufferably smug, and definitely a bit full of himself. But,
he has also never been portrayed as a 'bad' person, in any way –
so, this episode's suggestion that he is, somehow, both selfish and a
coward for being reluctant to use his powers in the same way that
Kara does felt a little heavy-handed, to me. I think that, rather
than have him, essentially, be shamed into becoming a hero, it would
have been much more effective to have him reach this point, on his
own.

The main problem with James Olsen, on
the other hand, is that his sudden desire to become a costumed
super-hero just doesn't come across as very convincing – and, the
reason for that is that, up until this point, we haven't actually
been given any indication that this is something he wants, or would
even be suited for. The reason for that,
of course, is due to the simple fact that James Olsen has actually
received very little attention since the series began – beyond his
participation in the previous season's somewhat irritating 'love
triangle' plot-lines, at least. So, what should feel like a
triumphant development for an important character actually ends up
feeling more like a somewhat arbitrary decision made to keep the
character relevant (or, allow the character to finally be relevant –
depending on how you feel about his role in the first season).

Despite
all of that, though, I do have to admit that the first scene of James
Olsen in his new 'Guardian' armour was very impressive. Sure, it was
a little strange to see Mon-El be so quickly up-staged in his own
first attempts at super-heroism, as the two separately came to the
conclusion that Parasite needed to be stopped, but I would have to
argue that James Olsen just needed that moment of heroism more than
Mon-El did (also, Mon-El has been so insufferably smug, over the past
few episodes, that being knocked down a little might actually be good
for him, in the long run).

It did also, at
first, strike me as a little strange that James would be able to hold
his own against Parasite so effectively (even considering his new
suit of armour) – but, in the end, I was willing to put that down
to Jame's own previous, almost entirely unexplored, experiences
alongside Superman (there was also a one-line reference to James
having a black belt in some form of martial arts, in the previous
episode, to add a bit of extra justification).

The way in which we
got to this point felt very rushed, and more than a little messy –
but, now that we are here, I do have to admit that I am interested in
seeing what the rest of the season has in store for James Olsen.
Perhaps more than any member of the cast (besides Kara, of course),
James Olsen is the character who seems most deserving of this
transition into heroism.

It's also difficult
to deny the fact that Parasite, once transformed, would have to count
as easily the most impressive CGI creation we have seen from the CW's
DC-inspired content, so far. Sure, the transition felt a little
abrupt, and it was a bit of a shame to see the 'human' element of the
character seemingly stripped away entirely – but, the grotesque
monstrosity that the cast found themselves fighting, here, was
impressive enough to make up for that.

On a much more
personal level, it was more than a little disheartening (though, I
suppose, also depressingly realistic) to see Alex slowly begin to
come to terms with her own sexuality, only for her renewed sense of
confidence to crumble, almost immediately. Her sudden urge to 'come
out of the closet' had, of course, been motivated almost entirely by
her romantic interest in Maggie Sawyer – but, Maggie, whether do to
a genuine lack of interest or simply to an unwillingness to enter
into a relationship with that amount of emotional baggage, had been
unable to return Alex's feelings. It would have been too easy, and
much too predictable, for this entire sub-plot to end on a high-note,
for Alex. So, this would have to be one of the rare cases in which
angst-ridden relationship drama actually is the better option. Also,
this new development led to some genuinely great scenes for Alex –
both with Maggie and, later, her adopted sister.

Of course, while
all of this is going on, there is also the latest development
concerning J'onn Jonzz and M'gann M'orzz – as the Green Martian's
encounter with Parasite leaves him in desperate need of a blood
transfusion from the woman who is, of course, actually a White
Martian. The history between the two races has already been hinted
before now, of course – but, with this new development, we are
certain to have these issues explored in a much more detailed, and
much more personal, manner in the future. It is definitely something
that I am looking forward to.